HIGH SCHOOL ICE HOCKEY: Lawrence makes statement with first-round win

WEST WINDSOR — Lawrence turned a lot of heads in the regular season and now it’s looking to make some noise in the postseason.

After a very impressive run to a Patriot Division title the Cardinals couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tournament season.

Getting off to a quick start Lawrence cruised past Paul VI, 11-1, last night in the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament last night at the rink at Mercer County Park.

Normally, a very patient and deliberate offense the Cardinals erupted for three first period goals and never needed to check the rear view mirror.

Lawrence (11-6-1), the No. 6 seed, will now get reacquainted with No. 3 West Windsor-Plainsboro North on Monday in the quarterfinals. The two have met three times with North winning the first and Lawrence taking a pair in the Hamilton Holiday Tournament.

No. 11 Paul VI saw their season come to a close as it finished with a 2-12-1 record.

“We went back and looked at the score sheets and scoring early is the one thing we haven’t done,’’ said Lawrence coach John Ritchie. “We seem to be a third period team. I told the kids when we go against the good teams we can’t get behind.’’

Pat Kelly, who now has eight goals in the last two games, made sure they didn’t.

He led the assault with four goals and five assists. Corey Zrinko chipped in with a goal and five assists, Brian Reznikov had four goals and three assists, Ross Doerler had two goals each and Brian Niemirka had an assist.

“This is great we have been working for this for four years,’’ said Ross Doerler, one of the Cardinals captains. “There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears. This is a big deal and it’s really cool.’’

Lawrence, who is headed to the state tourney for the first time since 2008, has applied its system to perfection this season. It’s one that doesn’t take chances, clogs the middle and then becomes very opportunistic.

This time it was more explosive than opportunistic as they clearly set the tone right from the opening face-off.

Kelly got things started, Doerler followed and them Kelly capped off the first period scoring. But, the Cardinals were not done.

The catalyst again was Kelly in the second period. He scored to make it 4-0 and then Paul VI got on the board.

The Cardinals answered with four straight goals and it was 8-1 at the end of the second period. Reznikov sparked the Cardinals in the second with a pair of goals.

“I’m grateful that I got here when I did,’’ said Reznikov, who is just a freshman. “It’s great to be playing with guys like Ross (Doerler), Pat (Kelly) and Corey (Zrinko). This had been a great season.’’